More (Mostly) Folk Music

The Irish Balladeers   •   The Last Barnesville Waltz

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  • The Last Barnesville Waltz
    • 1987 - Drops of Brandy Records IB-1967 LP (USA)
  • Side One
    1. The Last Barnesville Waltz (Chuck Rogers)
    2. Voices Of Ireland (Chuck Rogers)
    3. I'll Be Home to You (Chuck Rogers)
    4. The Coulin (Trad.)
    5. The Girls Of New York (Chuck Rogers)
    6. Champagne Charlie (Chuck Rogers)
  • Side Two
    1. Nine Fine Irishmen (Bob Rogers)
    2. Dreaming Of Maghery Strand (Chuck Rogers)
    3. Nickel Plated Railroad (Chuck Rogers)
    4. The Doors of Dublin (Chuck Rogers & Ed Lenihan)
    5. Greenfields Of Shiloh (Chuck Rogers)
    6. St Patricks Day in The Morning & Merrily Kiss the Quaker (Trad.)

  • Musicians
    • Special Thanks To:
      • Leo Schott: Uilleann Pipe & Bodhrán, Penny Whistle, Flute
      • Rob Walsh: Lead Guitar
      • Todd Snover: Fiddle
  • Credits
    • Produced by Drops of Brandy Records
    • Recorded at Holland Studios, Dunmore, Pa.
    • Engineered by Rick Manwiller

Sleeve Notes

THE LAST BARNESVILLE WALTZ
A song of longing for something that was, and never will be again.

VOICES OF IRELAND
We felt we had to remake tins song and add some of those names, those voices who have spoken the loudest in Ireland in these troubles

I'LL BE HOME TO YOU
Just goes to show you, love conquers all. Even a world traveler.

THE COULIN
Old Irish air, whose orgin reaches into the mist of time.

THE GIRLS OF NEW YORK
Did you ever dance with a New York girl?

CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE
There's a little bit of a lot of Charlie in all of us. Don't you think.

NINE FINE IRISHMAN
A true story of triumph. A story-song long overdue. Listen to the words.

DREAMING OF MAGHERY STRAND
A windblown hill in far off Donegal, A stone pile, rubble of a once Irish home. Origins.

NICKEL PLATED RAILROAD
Many are the fabled railroads that are no longer a part of the American scene. The old Nickel Plated to Chicago is one of those.

THE DOORS OF DUBLIN
They stand in silence, but speak of the panorama that is Irish history.

GREEN FIELDS Of SHILOH
A peach orchard in full bloom is a thing of beauty. But in the spring of 1862 in Tennessee, it became a killing field.

MERRILY KISS THE QUAKER/ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN THE MORNING
A spirited version of a tune that dates back to the dark days of Cromwell.


There is a big dancehall in Barnesville, Pa. There was a time, in the warm, golden days of early autumn, the hall would be filled with Irish musicians, dancers, and singers. "Now the old hall is shuttered and bare and only the memories remain."

If you were there, you'll remember. If not — well then — you will have a Barnesville of your own. A special time, a special place. That's what the Irish Jubilee will always be to those who were there, A happy time spent surrounded by friends, of grand singing and dancing.

It will always be that to us.

—The Irish Balladeers


When the Irish Balladeers began playing I was living in County Cork Ireland but I had heard of their first album release, "The Molly Maguires". (Thanks to the late Hugh Connor for introducing them to Avoca records).

When they were introducing innovations to Irish entertainment & other Irish groups i.e. Paddy Noonan, Noel Kingston, Richie O'Shea, the Irish Rovers & Shamus [sic] Kennedy to N.E. Penn., in their club "The Drops of Brandy", I was living in N.Y. city.

When they appeared on the Mike Douglas show & while they were assisting Frank Guynon with information & introductions which helped Mr. Guynon initiate one of the finest annual Irish festivals at Barnsville, Pa. & subsequently lasted nine years, I was working in N.Y. & learning about my adopted country.

My wife Nora & I, with our two young children, Johnny & Breeda, moved to Scranton a few years ago & found a great deal of Irish activity. This medium restricts mentioning all of the hard workers & leaders who made this possible so out of fear of offending some I'll refrain from naming any. But I think one & all must agree the foundation for this interest originated with this group.

So now I'm proud to introduce this album of ten original numbers by the group that brought you such other original song as "The Sons of Molly" & "Once Upon a Time" — recorded by Dermott Henry & others — & declare it another milestone for the Irish Balladeers & the Irish community at large. This a great album.

John J. & Nora Cronin